The document discusses techniques for layout and composition in publications such as posters. It explains the rule of thirds, which involves placing important elements in specific areas of an image. The Z layout follows the eye's natural reading pattern. Vanishing point places the focal point where lines seem to recede into the distance, drawing the eye to that location. These techniques can be used to create aesthetically pleasing and effective visuals that guide the viewer's attention.

1. Shannon Doyle

2. Rule of thirds is a common technique used within all
types of publication. This is a method whereby
important aspects or elements of an image are to be
placed in a particular area.
It is most often used to not only create a more
aesthetically pleasing image, but to also allow your
eyes to be drawn to the most important visual
aspects.
It also allows for more ease when creating
publications such as the film poster to the left, for
you have a ‘scale’ in which you can determine what
needs more prominence or insignificance.
Such as in the right example, Depp’s character has
been made of a larger scale and been placed in the
top most area of the grid- while Bloom and
Knightley’s characters are placed to either side of
him and in the centre level; suggesting significance
but less so in comparison.
http://web.simmons.edu/~benoit/lis470/readings/Poster%20Composition.pdf

3. The Z layout is another commonly used technique
amongst many publications.
This is due to it being created to follow the eyes
natural pathway; in the sense that you will begin in the
top left of a page, before going to the right, down to
the left before finishing in the bottom right corner.
This is hence the reason why many publications will
include significant details (such as a company logo) in
the bottom right corner- for it is the last thing you
would see.
In terms of posters, they will often include a title or
other significant information at the top of the page for
it is the first thing you notice. Whilst placing other
information (such as specifically a credit block) which
is perhaps less significant at the bottom.
http://studio2.rageyart.com/08_poster/06_layout.html

4. This is a technique more commonly used within
photography, however it is also used in particular
publications.
This technique is one where the focal point of an
image is receding before (in some cases) completely
disappearing. It is often used due to how this
subconsciously creates your eye to travel to a
specific point in the image and therefore if you
place the most important aspect in the vanishing
point the viewer will immediately be drawn to the
important element.
For example the image on the right has the
vanishing point of the buildings behind the actor
and thus you will subconsciously be drawn to the
centre of the image where the actor has been
placed.

5. Those were 2 of the most common and consistent techniques used to
create a more aesthetically pleasing and effective layout for a poster.
In my own piece rule of thirds is most definitely a technique that I will
use- for it is essential that a piece doesn’t just look professional; but it
must also ensure that the audiences eyes are drawn to the most
important elements.
While the Z layout is perhaps something that I may look at further, for
this would also allow for a composition that flows well for the audience
and they would be able to see everything important more
subconsciously.
Vanishing point is probably a technique less suitable for my film
poster and more suitable perhaps for the actual key image used in the
background. This is due to how although it creates an interesting and
effective visual, it does not serve as much of a place in the
composition of a poster.